Larry Davis, champion of the rural firefighter and longtime columnist for FireRescue, died Sunday, Aug. 3, after a battle with lung cancer.
Davis began writing a column for FireRescue entitled “Just Firefightin’” in June 1997; he began his hallmark column “Rural Fire Command ” in 2002, covering innovations in rural firefighting. Like Larry, the column was practical, no-nonsense and unorthodox, and has been a FireRescue stalwart ever since.
Davis’ 40-plus-year fire service career began with the Canonburg (Pa.) Volunteer Fire Department, then took him to the U.S. Air Force, followed by a 27-year career with Industrial Risk Insurers.
Davis became involved in the International Society of Fire Service Instructors in 1969, was a member of the board for 10 years, and served as chairman from 1994—1995. He co-founded the Rural Firefighting Institute (RFI) with close friend Ed McCormack and authored five books for the RFI. Upon retiring to Corpus Christi, Texas, Davis served as staff division chief with Industrial Emergency Services, LLC, and as vice president of product services for Got Big Water, LLC.
He will be truly missed in these pages. Our sincerest sympathies to the Davis family for their loss.
There Must Be Trouble in Heaven
There must be some trouble in heaven. That’s the best that I can figure as to why my brother Larry was “called to duty” up there beyond those great pearly gates. I’ve been thinking about what type of problem would need Larry’s service, but I’m just not sure. Perhaps there was a big fire and the tanker shuttle operation just didn’t go so well. Or perhaps the long-continuing debate over the pros and cons of LDH on heaven’s pumpers has come to a head and some training and intervention are needed. Or perhaps heaven itself is slated for its first ISO rating and the folks in charge are a little worried because they’ve never thought about insurance before.
I presume that whatever the problem is, Larry was “special called” on Aug. 3rd by the Great Fire Chief to come and lend his wealth of knowledge and expertise to the solution on a more permanent basis. I suppose the Great Fire Chief has followed Larry’s work for quite some time now and He just decided it was time to get the guy up there for more than a weekend seminar.
I assume that the problem in Heaven is pretty bad, because I think Larry went a bit early. But not knowing what it is lends me to believe that if the Great Fire Chief called him, then it was the right time to go. However, the part I’m a bit worried about is that I hope they–the Great Fire Chief and His staff–are ready to hear what Larry has to say.
For all of us who knew Larry, we know that he’ll be very willing to help straighten matters out in a “down-to-earth,” easy-to-understand manner. I just hope that everyone up there is ready to listen.
Now I’m not saying that Larry is going to try to tell the Great Fire Chief how to run His fire department. But I’m pretty confident there will be a heart-to-heart with the Chief about what needs to be done to improve heaven’s rural water supply operations, or whatever the problem might be.
You see, Larry has a way of helping everyone who has a problem. He was always like that. His devotion, second only to his family life, was to the fire service. It didn’t matter if your department was volunteer or career, big or little, new or old–Larry would lend his knowledge and expertise to whatever issue you brought to him.
Larry’s travels throughout North America brought his teachings to thousands of firefighters. He believed in training everybody to do the best they could with the equipment and training they had. He would help to no end to make that happen.
Larry loved the innovations that grew from the grassroots level of the fire service, and he gave many of those innovations national exposure through his work. He also loved to write, and those writings will live on forever through his textbooks articles and training programs.
Finally, he loved his fire service friends. He had hundreds of them; he spoke of them often. And they will remember him forever, no doubt.
In terms of family, Larry was loved by all, from the little children to the elder adults to his four-legged companions. Each one has wonderful moments by which to remember him and those memories will live on forever. He was kind and loving and always optimistic about life, and his family always felt better when they were around him.
Larry, at this point one normally says, “Rest in peace.” Somehow, though, I don’t see the “rest” part happening much. So I am saying, “Move on in peace.” Your work here on earth will be continued by those you touched. You’re going to have to work by yourself for awhile, but once the Great Fire Chief sees what you can do, help will be on the way.
Memories of Larry
From the earliest days at the magazine, Larry really helped focus FireRescue on the innovations happening in rural fire departments throughout the country. He was such a great champion for the thousands of firefighters who practice their craft in the rural fire environment. He’ll be missed on so many levels. … we need to dedicate ourselves to continuing his efforts in rural fire training and education.
Jeff Berend, publisher, FireRescue
Larry’s often “direct” style of educating, instructing and simply making a point, although ruffling feathers from time to time, made a major and very positive impact on so many firefighters, departments and communities–including the town my family resides in. His classic “Larry Davis reality checks” have resulted in so many positive differences and changes in leadership, staffing, operations and firefighter safety and survival throughout North America, as we kicked and screamed along the way. He will be truly missed.
Billy Goldfeder, battalion chief, Loveland-Symmes Fire Department
Larry was a friend to everybody he ever met, and a firefighter from the soles of his feet to the top of his helmet. I remember once sitting with him on a street corner in Hannover, Germany, during the Intershutz Fire Trade Show. He had recently joined Refinery Terminal Fire Corporation in Corpus Christi, Texas, and was extremely excited about the new challenges he was facing and the new opportunities for learning. Larry was a lifetime learner who savored the chance to study new technology. In the discussion in Germany, we talked about a new TFT product called the Blitz-fire portable monitor. Larry suggested that we develop an oscillating attachment for the unit so that it could be a more effective tool in the industrial world. Right there, on the street in Germany, we worked out the parameters for how the product should perform. We went on to develop it, and Larry was the first to get one. I will think of him often; I will miss him greatly. I am proud to have been his friend. Rest in peace, my friend.
Stewart McMillan, president, Task Force Tips
As one of the nation’s renowned experts in rural firefighting, Larry Davis demonstrated an unmatched level of passion and dedication. As an instructor, he’s established a national following that will continue to influence generations of firefighters throughout the North America. Larry Davis raised the bar for rural firefighting and his lasting legacy will forever be the knowledge he so openly shared with those around him. Thanks, Larry. Your passion and dedication will forever be remembered.
Timothy E. Sendelbach, editor-in-chief, FireRescue